Apparatus and method for assembling, disassembling and storing a tire building core

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for disassembling, assembling and using a toroidally shaped segmented core configured to carry a tire during a curing process includes: a transport mechanism operatively moving the segmented core between a plurality of stations in a tire curing line; one or more segment removal devices for removing a plurality of core segments individually from a cured tire and from around a core central axis and placing the core segments individually in respective spaced apart storage locations; and one or more core segment assembly devices for removing the core segments individually from the storage locations and placing the core segments individually in respective core locations to form an assembled segmented core. The apparatus and method operatively sequences to place and remove differently structured core segments individually into and from the assembled core configuration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates generally to automated tire manufacturinglines and more specifically to an apparatus and method for disassemblinga tire building core in an integrated tire manufacturing system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to vulcanize uncured or green tires using a mold in a tirepress. A tire bladder is inserted inside the mold and the green tire andinflated to press the green tire into the sidewall and tread formingsurfaces of the mold as heat and pressure are applied to the tire tocure it. After a predetermined time the mold is opened and the curedtire is removed from the press.

Because of the lack of control inherent to toroidal expansion of a tirecarcass in conventional tire building processes, it has been proposed tobuild a tire from components applied to a segmented core dimensioned andconfigured close to the finished tire. The core includes multiplesegments extending generally radially from a central axis. Each coresegment has an outer surface that together, with the other segment outersurfaces, define a toroidal outer surface on which a tire may beconstructed. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/292,991 entitled “TIREBUILDING CORE LATCHING AND TRANSPORT MECHANISM”, filed Dec. 2, 2005 andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/293,397 entitled “HEATED TIREBUILDING CORE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD”, filed Dec. 2, 2005 disclose one suchsegmented core. In using a segmented core for the construction of a tireit is necessary to assemble and disassemble the multiple core segmentsthat define the tire building surface and to temporarily store suchsegments prior to reassembly. An efficient apparatus and method foraccomplishing core assembly, disassembly, and storage is, accordingly,desired and heretofore not achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by way of example and with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of the tire curing line assembly.

FIG. 2 is a top rear perspective view of the tire curing line assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a core manipulator apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower core manipulator assembly.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower core segment handlingassembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lower core segment handling assemblywith portions removed for illustration.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom spindle clamp assembly.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bottom spindle clamp assembly withportions removed for the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the core segment support apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lower core segment handlingassembly.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of eight core segment pinsubassemblies.

FIG. 11A is a sectional view through a portion of the subassembly ofFIG. 11, taken along the line 11A-11A.

FIG. 1B is a sectional view through a portion of the subassembly of FIG.11, taken along the line 11B-11B.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the tire unloader apparatus shown withthe tire gripping assembly 40 in the tire pickup position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the tire unloader apparatus from a sideopposite that shown in FIG. 12 shown with the tire gripping assemblyrotated 180 degrees from the position in FIG. 12 to the unload position.

FIG. 14 is a perspective side view of the upper core manipulator.

FIG. 15 is a perspective end view of the upper core manipulator.

FIG. 16 is a perspective top view of the core segment grippingmechanism.

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the core segment grippingmechanism.

FIG. 17A is a longitudinal sectional view of the core segment grippingmechanism.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the upper core spindle latch mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal perspective view in partial section of theupper core spindle latch mechanism.

FIG. 20 is perspective view of the core assembly/disassembly station anda tire positioned therein.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the cure station showing a cured tiremoving from the core assembly/disassembly station.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the core assembly/disassembly stationshown in FIG. 21 taken along the line 22-22.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the upper core manipulator positioninga tire over the core assembly/disassembly station.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the upper core manipulator lowering thecore onto the core assembly/disassembly station.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view shown partially in section of aportion of the upper core manipulator, core, and coreassembly/disassembly station identified in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view in sequence to FIG. 24 showing the lowerspindle latch assembly rising to engage the core in the coreassembly/disassembly station.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged perspective view shown partially in section of aportion of the upper core manipulator, core, and coreassembly/disassembly station illustrated in FIG. 24.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view in sequence to FIG. 26 showing actuationof the latch mechanism inside the core to release the lower corespindle, thus rendering the core in two sub-assemblies.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged perspective view shown partially in section of aportion of the actuation latch, core, and core assembly/disassemblystation illustrated in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view in sequence to FIG. 28 showing segmentreceiving pins moved into position through windows defined between coresupporting arms in the core assembly/disassembly station.

FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view of the segment receiving pins inposition between core supporting arms as shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is an elevation view of the upper core manipulator, core, andcore assembly/disassembly station showing the core support assemblymoving down to lower the core onto the segment receiving pins.

FIG. 33 is an enlarged perspective view of the core support assemblymoving down to lower the core onto the segment receiving pins.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the upper core manipulator beingmoved out of the way and the upper segment manipulator moving intooperative position.

FIG. 35 is an enlarged perspective view shown in partial section of thecore, upper segment manipulator, and core assembly/disassembly stationfrom FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is an enlarged perspective view shown in partial section of thecore, upper segment manipulator, and core assembly/disassembly stationin sequence to FIG. 35 and showing a key segment being driven to thecenter in the core disassembly sequence.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view shown in partial section of the core,upper segment manipulator, and core assembly/disassembly station insequence to FIG. 36 and showing a core segment lifted in preparation fortransfer to storage.

FIG. 38 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of FIG. 37 showinga core segment lifted in preparation for transfer to storage.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the tire being lifted and rotated intothe unload position.

FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of FIG. 39 showingthe tire in the unload position prior to being dropped.

FIG. 41 is a front plan view of the upper segment manipulator showingcore segments positioned in the segment storage station.

FIG. 42 is a schematic top plan view of the positioning of core segmentsin the segment storage station taken along the line 42-42 of FIG. 41.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, the subject curing line 10 isshown as part of an integrated tire manufacturing line. The curing line10 is shown to include a plurality of stations arranged in a lineararray, however, other arrangements of the work stations may be utilizedif desired to accommodate the facility and/or preferences of the user.The tire manufacturing line builds a tire from components applied to asegmented core dimensioned and configured close to the finished tire. InU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/417,849, filed Apr. 17, 2003,entitled “A METHOD FOR CURING TIRES AND A SELF-LOCKING TIRE MOLD”,incorporated by reference herein, a segmented mold for molding a tire isdescribed. The mold has a central axis; a plurality of radially movabletread forming segments; two sidewall forming plates, a top sidewallforming plate, and a bottom sidewall forming plate; a top locking ringhaving a plurality of circumferentially spaced means for locking thesegments, each means for locking providing a predetermined angular pathfor radially contracting the segments upon closing the mold in a lockedposition. The segmented mold for molding a tire has an enlarged openingfor accepting a green tire assembly. The mold can accept the green tireand its building core internally while maintaining the tire's as-builtdimensions very close to the as-molded dimensions.

The mold receives a tire building core assembly, including segmentscombining to define an annular tire building surface and including alatching and handling mechanism. Such a core is disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/292,991, entitled “TIRE BUILDING CORE LATCHINGAND TRANSPORT MECHANISM”, filed Dec. 2, 2005, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/293,397 entitled “HEATED TIRE BUILDING COREASSEMBLY AND METHOD”, filed Dec. 2, 2005, incorporated herein byreference. The mechanism provides a positive means of attachment betweenthe tire building core in tire manufacture and any of the building,curing or other stations involved in the manufacturing process.Attachment points are located in each end of the core useful fortransporting the core the core between stations. The mechanism allowsfor automatic attachment/detachment of the core into two halves andprovides sufficient accuracy and rigidity for the motions required forprecision tire manufacture. The mechanism consists of a cone shapedinterface within the core together with linkage driven latching fingers.

In order to cure the green tire, a tire curing station, such as thatdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/741,752, entitled “ASINGLE STATION TIRE CURING METHOD AND APPARATUS”, filed Dec. 19, 2003,incorporated herein by reference, may be employed. A coil or group ofcoils is positioned to surround areas of the tire mold that requireapplication of precise heat. The heating is specified through a recipeprogram supplied to the control unit.

The curing line 10 is intended to be integrated into the tiremanufacturing line described above for curing a green tire constructedon a core assembly 15. The line 10 includes an upper core manipulator12, upender apparatus 14, and a lower core assembly station 16 thatoperatively engage a tire building core assembly 15. The upper coremanipulator assembly 12 is a mobile assembly that generally moves thecore assembly 15 along the curing line 10 between a mold assemblystation 18 and a cure station 22 having an induction heat dome assembly24 positioned adjacent thereto. A mold manipulator assembly 26 bridgesover the curing line and moves an assembled mold containing the core andtire assembly 15 under electrical control from control panel 28 along atransport rail assembly 30 between the cure station 22 and the moldassembly station 18. Induction heating control panels 32 are positionedadjacent the induction dome assembly 24 and electrically controlassembly 24 throughout the heating cure cycle. Throughout the line 10, aconical docking interface 84 is used in stations 14, 16, 18, and 22 tocouple with the lower half of the core and tire assembly 15, wherebylocating and positioning the core and tire assembly 15 for operationsconducted within such stations.

FIG. 3 illustrates in enlarged detail the upper core manipulatorassembly 12 constructed as a bridging support frame assembly andpositioned to move reciprocally along the rail assembly 30 station tostation. The upper core manipulator assembly 12 spans the lower coremanipulator 16 and, with the lower core manipulator 16, comprises a coreassembly/disassembly station 34. The station 34 includes multipleassemblies that operatively interact with the core and tire assembly.Such assemblies include a bottom spindle clamp assembly 84, anintermediate core segment support assembly 82, a lower segment handlingassembly 80, and an upper tire unloading apparatus 36. The assemblies84, 82, 80 and 36 constitute the lower core manipulator 16 and areoriented generally in a mutually stacked configuration as shown in FIG.3. The assemblies 36, 80, and 82 are generally circular inconfiguration, peripherally oriented about a common circular centralopening 39. The bottom spindle clamp assembly 84 projects axially upwardfrom the bottom of the station 34 into the opening 39. As will beexplained, multiple operations are conducted at station 34 within thecuring line 10. As used herein, the core assembly and disassemblystation 34 is the combination of the lower core manipulator 16(sub-assemblies 36, 80, 82, and 84) and the upper core manipulator 12.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 6, 12, 13, and 38 tire unloading apparatus 36is part of the lower core manipulator 16 and is shown positioned at thetop of the manipulator 16 within station 34. The tire unloader 36 issupported by a vertical support post 38 and includes a tire grippingassembly 40. The assembly 40 includes a circular upper support plate 41and a lower support plate 43 spaced below upper plate 41. The centralaxial opening 39 extends medially through each of the plates 41, 43.Spaced about the periphery of the opening 39 and facing inward is aplurality of elongate, generally vertically oriented tire grippingpaddles 42. Eight paddles 42 are shown but more or fewer may be deployedif desired. The paddles 42 are generally L-shaped having a verticalplate portion 44 and a horizontal bottom flange 46 extending intoopening 39. Linkage arms 48 connect the paddles 42 together to maintainthe paddles in a radial orientation relative to the opening 39. An upperconnecting link 52 is further provided to tie the paddles together asshown. Spaced apart sets of upper and lower actuation arms 52, 54 arepivotally coupled at remote ends to the paddles 42 and pivotally coupledat opposite ends to pivot rods 58. The arms 52, 54 are linked togetherto swing the paddles 42 in unison along an arcuate path radially inwardand outward as the arms 52, 54 pivot about the pivot rods 58. Thepaddles 42 are mounted to pivot at the remote end of the arms 52, 54 tomaintain a radially inward facing tire clamping orientation at theinnermost extent of the arcuate path. The pivot rods 58 extendvertically between the plates 41, 43. Accordingly, paddles 42 movereciprocally in unison between a radially innermost tire clampingposition and a radially outward tire release position as arms 54, 56pivot.

An air cylinder 60 is mounted and includes a drive shaft coupled to arms54, 56. The drive shaft of the cylinder 60 is linked by a conventionallinkage to the arms 54, 56 that are linked to each paddle 42.Accordingly, the drive shaft of cylinder 60, by way of reciprocal axialmovement, imparts rotational movement to the arms 54, 56, whereby movingthe arms 54, 56 and the paddles 42 connected thereto between the tireclamping and release positions as described above. A circular supportframe 62 carries the tire gripping assembly 40 and is secured to asupport stand 64. A ball screw mechanism 66 is driven by a servo-motor68 and couples by means of drive linkage 69 to raise and lower the tireunloading assembly 36 along rails 70. Rails 70 are spaced apart andpositioned to extend vertically up the post 38. A drive motor 72 iscoupled to rotate the tire gripping assembly 40 180 degrees between thepositions illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. The assembly 40 is mounted toshaft 74. Motor 72 engages shaft 74 by means of clutch 76 to drive shaft74, thus effecting programmed reciprocal pivotal movement of theassembly 40. Cables are routed to the unit by means of cable carrier 71.An encoder position sensor 78 controls pivotal movement of the assembly40.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, the tire unloading apparatus 36 is shownpositioned generally above the remaining sub-assemblies of lower coremanipulator 16, namely the lower core segment handling assembly 80, acentral core segment supporting apparatus 82, and a lower spindleclamping assembly 84. As best seen from FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower spindleclamping assembly 84 provides an upward directed clamping mechanism 86including a frustro-conical support 88 mounted to move vertically inreciprocal fashion within support column 87. A pneumatic cylinder 104 ismounted to move the mechanism 86 vertically along rails 96. An aircylinder 90 through a drive rod 92 is coupled to pivot four latchmembers 94 mounted within respective openings 95 within the support 88.The four latch members 94 reside within the openings 95 spacedequidistant and ninety degrees apart about the frustro-conical support88. The latch members 94 are spring biased to an inward position thatplaces and holds the latch members 94 within detents in a lower corespindle assembly 240. The latch members 94 are spring biased in theinward latched position until the rod 92 moves axially upward and camsthe latch members 94 outward and out of their respective core spindledetents, whereby releasing the lower core assembly from thefrustro-conical support 88 as will be further explained. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/292,991, incorporated by reference herein, showsand describes the attachment and release mechanisms employed between thecore assembly and a clamping mechanism configured similarly as theclamping mechanism 86.

The clamping mechanism 86 moves reciprocally in the vertical directionalong rails 96. A freestanding support stand 98 is provided. Power andcontrol cables are routed to the bottom spindle clamp assembly 84 from acontrol tower 100 along a cable support 102. An air cylinder 104 with anintegrated rod clamping braking mechanism 93 is mounted to verticalsupport column 106 and reciprocally drives the assembly 86 along rails96.

Referring to FIG. 9, the core segment support apparatus is shown indetail. A pair of support base members 108 support posts 110. Arectangular frame 111 is coupled to an upper end of the posts 110.Between the frame 111 is a central moveable segment support frame 112.The support frame 112 includes a circular plate 113. Circumferentiallyspaced about and projecting upward from a top surface of the plate 113is a circular array of L-shaped arms 114, each having a pad 116 affixedto a remote end. Pads 116 are composed of abrasive resistant materialsuch as bronze or plastic. While eight arms 114 are illustrated,corresponding to the number of segments within the lower core assembly,more or fewer arms may be employed if necessary for alternative coreassembly configurations. A pair of air cylinders with a brakingmechanism 118 attach to the posts 110 and act to reciprocally move themoveable support frame 112 along rails 120 that extend upwardly alongthe inward facing sides of the posts 110. The circumferential array ofspaced apart L-shaped arms 114 define a circular array having a diameterallowing each of the arms 114 to support a respective segment componentof a segmented core 234.

FIGS. 5, 10, 11, 11A, and 11B illustrate the lower segment handlingassembly 80. The lower core segment handling assembly 80 is supported ina free standing frame 122 by support posts 121 connected by crosssupport braces 123. A circular array of eight radially extendingalternating segment pin sub-assemblies 124, 127 are positioned on anupper top plate 125, the eight sub-assemblies corresponding to the eightcore segments comprising the assembled annular core. There are four pinsub-assemblies 124 for the key segments 244 and four pin sub-assemblies127 for the larger core segments 246. More or fewer sub-assemblies 124,127 may be used as necessary to accommodate more or fewer core segments.Each sub-assembly 124, 127 has a servo-motor 126 coupled by a positivedrive belt 128 to ball screw 130. The ball screw 130 is coupled to drivesub-assembly 132 axially along guide rails 134 as shown in FIG. 11.Positioned at the forward end of the moveable frame 132 and projectingupward is a pin 136 supported by block 138. The pin 136 extends from asegment support surface 140 situated at a remote end of the block 138and each pin is provided with a convex lead-in remote surface 142 tofacilitate insertion of pin 136 into a respective segment pin-receivingaperture. Each pin 136 is thus reciprocally moveable in a radialdirection along the plate 125 between an inward, segment engagingposition and an outward storage position. The configuration of the pinarray on surface 125 is such that the pins 136 are positioned to insertinto appropriate respective apertures extending upwardly into respectivecore segments. A protective guard 144 covers the belt 128. The tiltingpin assembly 124 is depicted in FIG. 11 and represents a key segmentengaging assembly. The segmented core is assembled from smaller keysegments 244 alternating with larger core segments 246 in a circulararray.

During disassembly of the core, the four segment pin assemblies 124 andthe four large segment pin assemblies 127 are in the radially outwardposition (FIG. 10). The pins 136 of the four key segment engagingassemblies 124 project into respective key segments 244 from below andthe pins 136 of the large segment engaging assemblies 127 project intorespective large segments 246 from below. A cured tire 230 is positionedon the assembled core 234. The segments 244, 246 are moved radially tothe center of the assembly 15 and removed one by one from the centeropening of the core and the tire. The key segments 244 are firstremoved, one by one. Each key segment is moved radially inward by itsassembly 124 to the center of the core and tire assembly 15. From thecenter location, the segment is picked by an upper segment manipulator146 carried by the upper core manipulator 12. The segment is lifted upand out of the center core position by the manipulator 146 andtransported to a storage station on the manipulator 12. The moveableframe 132 of the assembly 124 is then retracted radially outward andplaced back into its initial position. Once all of the key segments 244have been removed and stored, the larger segments 246 are removed one byone in like fashion.

Each of the four key segment assemblies 124 is constructed to allow thepin 136 carried thereby to be tilted from the upright pin position ofFIG. 11 into a tilted, near horizontal orientation shown in FIG. 38. Thetilting of each key segment assembly 124 occurs when the assembly isretracted into a radially outward storage position after delivering itskey segment to the manipulator 146 at the center of the core assembly15. Each of the four key segment assemblies 124 are tilted downwardafter unloading their respective key segments and returning to theradially outward storage position. The downward tilting of the keysegment assemblies 124 allows sufficient clearance for each largersegment assembly 127 to move its larger segment 246 past the adjacentkey segment assemblies 124 to the center of the core and tire assembly15 for delivery to the manipulator 146.

At the conclusion of the core disassembly, all of the segment handlingassemblies 124, 127 are returned to their respective radially outwardstorage positions shown in FIG. 10. The key segment handling assemblies124 are tilted upward and back into a vertical orientation inpreparation for the core re-assembly procedure. In the storage position,the segment handling assemblies 124, 127 generally take the form of theassembled core 15. However, the position of the key segment handlingassemblies 124 in the retracted location is slightly radially inwardrelative to the large segment handling assemblies 127. The manipulator146 delivers the core segments back to positions on their respectivepins 136 in reverse order one by one, larger segments 246 first followedby the key segments 244. After all of the segments 244, 246 are on theirrespective pins, the key segments 244 are moved radially outward toengage against adjacent large segments to form the final assembled shapeof the core 15. The key segments 244 retain the larger segments 246 intothe assembled circular segmented core 234 by the segment surface tosurface abutment referenced at 262 of FIG. 38. Thus, the key segments244 removed first from the circular array in order to allow removal ofthe larger segments 246 and returned last to the array in order to lockthe larger core segments into place.

It will be appreciated that the key segment handling assemblies 124 aresimilarly constructed to the large segment handling assemblies 127except that the assemblies 124 mount the segment pin 136 on a pivotingblock 133 at the forward end of the assembly to facilitate the downwardtilting of the pin for clearance as described above. The segmenthandling assemblies 127 for each larger segment 246 are similarlyconstructed to assemblies 124 except that the tilting capability and,hence, mechanism is not necessary and, accordingly, not present. Eachpin 136 for the larger assemblies 246 is mounted to a fixed block (notshown). It will further be appreciated that the segments 244, 246 areremoved one by one from the center of the core and tire assembly 15during core disassembly to avoid the cured tire 120 on the core. Oncethe core has been disassembled and tire unloaded, the core segments 244,246 are moved downward by the manipulator 146 onto the pins 136 in theradially outward position. The core is thus reassembled into finalconfiguration segment by segment.

An activation cylinder 135 is mounted on the frame 132 and includes anactuation rod coupled to the pin supporting block 138. Actuation of thecylinder 135 acts to pivot the pin 136 from a core segment engagingvertical position (shown in FIG. 11) to a storage position approachinghorizontal as in FIG. 38. Once all of the segments 244, 246 aredisassembled, the pins 136 of the segment handling assemblies 124 arepivoted back into a vertical orientation to await reassembly of the core234.

FIGS. 14, 15, and 22 show the upper core manipulator assembly 12 toinclude an upper core segment manipulator 146 and an upper spindle latchmechanism 198. Bridging trusses form a support frame assembly 148 thatincludes a frame 222 carrying the core segment manipulator 146 and aframe 224 for carrying the upper spindle latch mechanism 198. The frame222 includes a vertically repositionable inner frame 222A and an outerframe 222B and the frame 224 an inner frame 224A and an outer frame224B. The core segment manipulator 146 includes an upper core segmenthandling mechanism 150 (shown in detail by FIG. 16) that mounts to theinner frame 222A. The upper core segment manipulator 146 furtherincludes a core segment storage station 152 adjacent the handlingmechanism 150. A pair of spaced apart horizontal plates 153 is locatedwithin the storage station 152, each plate 153 supporting a linear arrayof four spaced apart, upwardly directed pin members 151. The pins 151,four on each side of the storage station 152, are dimensioned forinsertion into a respective core segment socket and function to supporta core segment within the storage station 152. Collectively, the eightpins 151 receive eight core segments in a disassembly sequence as willbe describe, and temporarily store the segments until the procedure isreversed for core re-assembly.

A gear box and servo-motor 154 is coupled by belt drive 156 to rotate avertical shaft 158 360 degrees. Shaft 158 thereby rotates the upper coresegment handling mechanism 150. Referring to FIGS. 14, 17, 41 and 42,the storage pins 151 within storage station 152 each extend from arespective pin support block 160. Each of the pins 151 is at a specificlocation in the storage station 152 determined by the core segmentassigned to the pin. Each segment is picked by the core segment gripper174 at the remote end of the core segment handling assembly 150. Thehorizontal pin 184 of gripper 174 is pivoted into a segment side socket252 while the vertical pin 182 of the gripper 174 enters down into asegment vertical socket 250 (FIG. 35). Guide flange 173 assists inaligning the vertical pin 182 into a targeted segment socket. Once thepins 182, 184 are engaged into respective sockets within a segment, thesegment is securely gripped and may be moved radially inward and liftedout of the core segment array as the upper core segment handlingassembly 150 is moved upward along the frame rails 167. The liftedsegment is transported laterally by the assembly 150 along rails 170until reaching an intended pin 151 in the segment storage station 152.The segment is then lowered onto the intended pin 151 and rotated bypivotal movement of the gripper 174 into the position depicted in FIG.42. The segment is released as the horizontal pin 184 is pivoted out ofthe segment side socket. The assembly 150 is raised and may return tothe core by a reverse procedure to locate and retrieve another coresegment. The procedure is reversed in a reverse sequence in order toreassemble the upper core during a core reassembly operation. Oncecompletely reassembled, the segmented core 234 is available for anothernew tire build operation.

The storage location of each core segment 244, 246 is pre-assignedwithin the storage station 152 to correspond with the sequence thesegments 244, 246 are disassembled and assembled. As discussedpreviously, the core 234 is constructed from alternating wedge shapedsmaller key segments 244 and larger core segments 246. The key segments244 entrap the larger segments 246 into the annular configuration ofcore 234 through an abutment of beveled segment surfaces 262. See FIG.38. Accordingly, the smaller key segments 244 are removed first tofacilitate subsequent removal of the larger core segments 246. Each ofthe four of the key segments 244 are removed and placed in the storagestation 152 first, followed by the four larger segments 246. Thesequencing used in disassembly will be understood from FIG. 42 in whichthe storage location in station 152 of the key segments K1-K4 and thelarger core segments L1-L4 are identified. The key segments K1-K4 arepositioned over center located pins 151 while the core segments L1-L4are located on outer pins 151 adjacent to the same key segment that agiven segment abuts within the assembled core array. Thus, the coresegment, for example L4, in the assembled core would reside next to thekey segment K1. The storage location of each larger segment 246 adjacentto its neighboring key segment 244 in the storage station 152 expeditesthe disassembly of the upper core as well as expedites reassembly of thecore in a reverse procedure because the proximity of neighboringkey/large segment pairs in the core is maintained in the storage station152.

In addition, a radially inward face or side 251 of each segment 244, 246is canted inwardly within the station 152 toward a center point “P”between the two sides of the station 152. The rotational travel of thegripper 174 necessary to deposit and to retrieve each segment is therebyminimized. The canted orientation of the front side 251 of each segmentorients the vertical socket 250 and horizontal socket 252 of eachsegment toward the center point “P” where gripper 174 is stationed toprovide the gripper 174 with oriented access to each segment 244, 246whereby eliminating wasted motion and time. The position of each segment244, 246 on the storage station plates 153 adjacent to the segmentneighboring the segment within the assembled core; coupled with theradially inward cant of the forward side 251 toward the point “P”between parallel station plates 173, expedites assembly and disassemblyof the upper core and reduces cycle time.

The upper core segment handling mechanism 150 is mounts to inner frame222A that reciprocally moves along rails 167. A servo-motor/gear box 164is coupled to drive the moveable frame 222A, and thereby the upper coresegment handling mechanism 150, along vertically oriented rails 167.

As will be seen from FIG. 16, a servo-motor 168 is mounted to drive ballscrew 172 which moves the upper core segment handling mechanism 150 in aradial direction along rails 170. At the remote end of the mechanism 150is a segment gripper assembly 174 including a mounting plate 175 fromwhich a guide lead-in projection 173 depends. Arm 177 depends from baseplate 176 at an acute angle. The segment gripper assembly 174 isconnected to a remote end of arm 177 at a mounting plate 175.

With reference to FIGS. 16, 17, 17A, and 38, a support mount 179 extendsfrom an underside of the mounting plate 175. Air cylinder 178 ispivotally coupled to the mount 179 at pin 181. A support arm 183 dependsfrom the underside of the plate 175 and a vertical segment engaging pin182 is secured by a screw 185 to the support arm 183. Pin 182 projectsdownward from the support arm 183 and is dimensioned for close downwardreceipt into a socket within each core segment as will be explained. Adependant pivot arm 180 is pivotally coupled to the remote end of anactuation rod of air cylinder 178 by pin 187. The pivot arm 180 ispivotally coupled by a lower pin 189 to the support arm 183. Actuationof the air cylinder 178 pivots the pivot arm 180 about pivot points 189,whereby moving a remote end of the pivot arm inside and outside of apassageway through the arm member 173. Secured to a remote end of thepivot arm 180 is a segment side engaging pin 184 which moves with thepivot arm remote end into and out of the passageway 188 through the armmember 173. A proximity switch 186 is mounted to the support arm 183 andcontrols the extent to which the pin 182 is inserted into each coresegment by proximally detecting the presence of the core segment.

Referring to FIGS. 14, 15, 18, 19, and 28, a motor/gear box 165, 190having an output shaft 192 is mounted to the frame 148 and drive shaft192 is coupled to the core manipulator frame 224. The drive shaft 192powers a reciprocal vertical movement of the core manipulator frame 224along rails 192. Mounted to and depending from the frame 224 is an uppercore spindle latch mechanism 198 shown in detail in FIGS. 18 and 19. Theupper core spindle latch mechanism 198 reciprocally moves in thevertical direction on the inner frame 224A of the frame assembly 224.The mechanism 198 as shown includes a frustro-conical nose 200 havingfour circumferentially spaced latch members 202. Members 202 pivot abouta respective pivot pin 203 within respective openings 205 between anoutward latched position in which members 202 protrude beyond an outersurface of the nose 200, and a retracted unlatched position in whicheach latch member 202 is within a respective passage 205. A cylindricalsleeve 204 extends axially within an upper housing 216 of the mechanism198 and a co-axial actuation rod 206 is positioned within an axial bore201 of the sleeve 204. The actuation rod is provided with an end cap207. An air cylinder 208 is positioned above the housing 216 in axialalignment with the sleeve 204 and includes a push rod 209 coupled by aclevis 213 to the actuation rod 206. Axial motion of the actuation rod206 operated the internal latching mechanism in the upper spindleassembly of a tire building core assembly 15, allowing it to be detachedfrom the lower spindle assembly at the appropriate stage in the coredisassembly process. A pair of air cylinders 210 mounts to oppositesides of the housing 216 surrounding the sleeve 204 and each cylinder210 has a push rod 215 that is coupled to an angle bracket. Anglebrackets 219 are positioned on either side of sleeve 204 and areattached to it by means of screws 218. Each latch member 202 attaches tothe sleeve 204 by a fitting 212. The upper core spindle latch mechanism198 is lowered by moving frame 224 downward as described above untilnose 200 is received into an upper spindle assembly socket of a tirebuilding core assembly. The latch members 202 pivot outward to engagerecesses within the spindle assembly socket sidewalls. Upon encounteringthe recess, the latch members 202 load outward by the force applied bycylinders 210 into a latched relationship with the core recess. Theupper core spindle latch mechanism 198 is thereby secured to the upperspindle assembly of a tire building core.

The core, subsequent to latching engagement with spindle latch mechanism198, may be lifted and lowered axially by the mechanism 198 travelingalong the rails 226. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/292,991describes and shows the latching mechanism employed in attaching theupper core spindle latch mechanism 198 to the core and tire assembly 15.

The core assembly 15, once attached to the latch mechanism 198, istransported station to station in the curing line 10 by the upper coremanipulator 12 traveling reciprocally along the rail assembly 30. Aswill be seen from FIG. 21, the upper core manipulator 12 is configuredto suspend a core and tire assembly 15 attached to latching mechanism198 a distance “H” above the feet 166 of the frame 148. As will beapparent from FIGS. 1 and 2, the distance “H” is of sufficient height tocreate clearance between a core and tire assembly 15 suspended from themanipulator 12 and stations 16, 18, 22 comprising curing line 10.Accordingly, the clearance created by the height “H” allows themanipulator, for example, to transport a cured tire and core assembly 15over a second tire and core assembly at another station. Multiple coreand mold units may thereby be processed simultaneously at differentlocations within the line 10 whereby improving efficiency by reducingcycle time.

It will be appreciated that the latch members 202 may be pivoted into aretracted unlatched position by axially moving the sleeve 204 withinmechanism 198 upward under pressure from the air cylinders 210. Thesleeve moves upward causing the linkages to pull the latch members 202inward until each latch member 202 exits its respective detent in thecore upper spindle assembly sidewalls and retracts each latch member 202into its respective opening 205. In the retracted position, the latchmembers 202 do not protrude beyond the outer surface of thefrustro-conical nose 200. Upon movement of the latch members 202 withinthe respective openings 205 into the retracted position, the nose 200 isreleased from the upper spindle assembly socket and the core upperspindle latch mechanism 198 may be withdrawn from the upper spindleassembly socket by vertical movement of the core manipulator frame 196.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 3, 12, 14, 15, 20, 21, 23, 25, the uppercore manipulator 12 includes four vertically oriented guide railsforming outer frame 220B supporting the inner frame 222A for coresegment manipulation. The frame 224A similarly moves vertically along avertical set of rails 226 to raise and lower the latch mechanism 198.The latch mechanism 198 lifts the upper core spindle assembly 236 from acore and tire assembly 15 stationed on the lower core manipulator 16.Access to the core segments 244, 246 is thereby facilitated. Thereafter,the manipulator 12 moves along the rails 30 until the upper core segmenthandling assembly 150 is above the manipulator 16. The segments aresequentially disassembled from the assembled core by moving the segments244, 246 radially inward using a coordinated motion between assembly 150and the core segment handling assembly 80 and then axially moving thesegments to escape the confines of the tire and core assembly 15 usingassembly 150. The cured tire 230 is dropped from the unloader 36 afterthe segmented core 234 has been disassembled. Reassembly of the core isconducted in reverse fashion. Alternatively, the segments 224, 246 maybe removed by radially moving them inward using only assembly 80 andthen moving them axially with assembly 150. This allows assembly to bestoring the previous segment while the current segment is being movedradially, thus reducing cycle time.

As seen in FIGS. 25, 35, 36, and 38, the core and tire assembly 15 isshown to include a tire carcass 230 extending between a tire bead 232.The carcass 230 mounts to a segmented core 234 that includes an uppercore spindle assembly 236 having a frustro-conical socket 238 extendingtherein along a longitudinal spindle axis. The core 234 further includesa lower core spindle assembly 240 having a frustro-conical socket 242extending therein along a longitudinal spindle axis. The body of thecore 234 is toroidally shaped formed by a plurality of alternating coresmall key segments 244 and core large segments 246, each segment havingan outer surface portion that together define a toroidal outer surfacesurrounding a central axis. The core 234 in the assembled configurationis adapted to hold a green tire on the toroidal outer surface. The tirecarcass 230 is constructed onto the core 234 at a tire building station(not shown). At the conclusion of the tire build operation, the assembly15 consisting of the core 234 and green tire carcass 230 is transportedto the upender apparatus 14 of curing line 10 where the assembly 15 isupended from an axial horizontal orientation to an axially verticalorientation. The upper core manipulator 12 traverses rails 30 to theupender 14 where the latching mechanism 198 is employed to latch intothe upper spindle assembly 236 of the core and tire assembly 15. Themechanism 198 lifts the assembly 15 and transports the assembly 15 tothe mold assembly station 22 where a multiple component mold isconstructed around the assembly 15.

A plurality of electrical connector sockets 248 extend into ends of thecore segments 244, 246. Also disposed within the ends of the coresegments 244 is a pin socket 250. A horizontally extending bore 252extends into the base of each segment 244, 246. The segments 244, 246are composed of suitable material such as aluminum, each segment havinga resistive heating element attached to the segment for heating thesegment to a desired temperature during the curing cycle. Electricalconductors 256 are provided to provide electrical power to the segmentheating elements. The conductors 256 are electrically connected toconnectors within the electrical sockets 248 of each segment. Theconnectors within sockets 248 are engaged by pins in the spindleassemblies 236 and 240. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/292,991describes the electrical and mechanical components and connectorselectrically and mechanically connecting the upper and lower corespindle assemblies 236, 240 with the segmented core 234.

Operation of the apparatus described above is as follows. The tirebuilding core assembly and disassembly station 34 is a part of the cureline assembly 10. Its purpose is to receive a tire building core 15 witha freshly cured tire 230 attached from the mold assembly station 18,disassemble the tire core piece-by-piece from inside the cured tire,transport the cured tire away from the main zone of the cure line 10,and then re-assemble the tire building segmented core 234 and place itback into the tire building process. All of this activity is preferablyto be preformed in a totally automatic mode without a machine operator.

The cure line 10 is shown in a preferred layout in FIGS. 1 and 2. Otherarrangements of the sundry stations within the line may be utilized tosuit the preferences of or facilities of the user. As shown in FIG. 1and previously explained, the stations of the cure line 10 are fromright to left:

-   -   1. The tire upender 14, partially hidden by the upper core        manipulator 12 mounted on the cure line rail transport assembly        30.    -   2. The tire building core assembly and disassembly station 34        consisting of the lower core assembly station 16 and the upper        core manipulator 12. FIGS. 1 and 2 show only the lower core        manipulator 16 because the upper core manipulator 12 has been        moved to the tire upender station 14.    -   3. The mold assembly station 18.    -   4. The mold loading and storage station 20, shown in FIGS. 1 and        2 with the mold transport assembly or manipulator 26 mounted on        another part of the cure line rail transport assembly 30.    -   5. The cure station 22.    -   6. The jib crane 236, used for positioning the induction curing        dome 24.

FIG. 3 shows the tire building core assembly and disassembly station 34.As described above, the station 34 is comprised of two main assemblies.The lower core manipulator station 16 , which is fixed to the cure linefoundation plate assembly, and the mobile upper core manipulatorassembly 12, which is connected to the cure line rail transport assembly30 and moves between the tire upender 14, the lower core assemblystation 16, and the mold assembly station 18. The connection to the railassembly 30 is not shown for clarity in FIG. 3, and therefore, the uppercore manipulator assembly 12 appears to be floating in space.

The lower core manipulator assembly 16 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 6shows the assembly in a cross-sectional view. This assembly includesfour sub-assemblies: the bottom spindle clamp assembly 84, the coresegment support assembly 82, the lower core segment handling assembly80, and the tire unloader 36.

The bottom spindle clamp assembly 84 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Itsfunction is to remove one half of the tire building core spindle, namelythe lower core spindle assembly 240. The clamp assembly 84 is actuatedby the pneumatic cylinder 104 and traverses vertically on the set oflinear guide rails 96. The tip or nose 88 of the clamp assembly 84 istapered into a frustro-conical shape to mate with the tapered socket 242on the tire building lower core spindle assembly 240. A rod clamp on thecylinder 104 is a braking mechanism used to maintain position. A secondpneumatic cylinder 90 actuates a linkage at the tapered end to clamp theend of the tire building core spindle assembly 240 as describedpreviously. The rod 92 actuates pivotal latch members 94 withinrespective openings 95 to extend the latch members 94 into and out ofdetent openings in the frustro-conical socket 242. This clamp linkageand tapered spindle connection are used in station 14 as well as station16 within the curing line 10 as will be appreciated from FIGS. 1 and 2.The clamp linkage and tapered spindle connection may further be utilizedat a tire building station (not shown) to provide means for mechanicallyconnecting to the core assembly 15.

The core segment support assembly 82 is shown in FIG. 9. Its function isto support the tire building core segments 244, 246 in eight placesbelow the tire bead area so that the lower core spindle assembly 240 canbe removed or inserted. The support moves vertically on linear guiderails 120 and is actuated by two pneumatic cylinders 118. Rod clamps onthe cylinders are used to maintain the desired vertical position of thesupport 82.

The lower core segment handling assembly 80 is shown in FIGS. 10, 11,11A and 11B, and described in detail previously. Eight pins 136, one foreach of the eight core segments 244, 246, are used to support the tirebuilding core 234 after the lower and upper spindle assemblies 236, 240have been removed. Each pin 136 is moved radially on linear rails 134using a ball screw 130 driven by a servo-motor 126. See FIGS. 11, 11A,and 11B. This radial movement is used to pull the respective coresegment inward to allow the upper core segment handling assembly 150 toremove it upward from the cured tire.

The tire unloader assembly 36 is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and describedin detail previously. The tire unloader assembly 36 grips the outsidediameter of a cured tire by means of the tire gripping paddles 42 drivenby pneumatic cylinder 60 through arms 54, 56 as the tire building coresegments 244, 246 are being removed, one by one. Thereafter, theunloader lifts the tire over the lower segment handling assembly 80,rotates 180 degrees about shaft 74 to the tire drop zone (rotated fromthe FIG. 12 position to the FIG. 13 unload position), and lowers theassembly 36 by means of ball screw 66 along rails 70 to the drop-offheight. The tire is released by the paddles 42 at the drop-off height.The tire is thus held by the eight paddles 42 which are actuated inunison from the single pneumatic cylinder 60 acting on the drive linkage54, 56. A rod clamp of a type common within the industry operates on therod of the cylinder 60 to maintain the desired linkage position duringthe unloading operation. The unloader is lifted using the servo-motor 68driven ball-screw jack 66. The servo- system allows precise verticalpositioning. The unloader rotation is achieved using the gear motor 72with a variable frequency drive and encoder feedback. A clutch is usedto prevent damage to the assembly should the path of rotation becomeunexpectedly restricted. FIGS. 38, 39, and 40 illustrate sequentiallythe operation of assembly 36. FIG. 38 is a sectional view showingclamping engagement of the paddles 42 against a tire carcass 230; andFIGS. 39 and 40 the tire carcass 230 being lifted and rotated forplacement at a tire unload position and height represented by FIG. 40.

The upper core assembly station 12 is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Thestation 12 is comprised of two mechanisms 150, 198 supported bysub-frames 222A, B, and 224A, B, respectively, within a common outsideframe 148, which is mounted to the rail transport assembly 30 below. Thefirst mechanism, the upper core segment handling assembly 150 has threeprimary axes of motion and is used to transport the individual coresegments 244, 246 between positions on the pins 258 on the lower coresegment handling assembly and the pins 151 in the segment storagestation 152. The second mechanism, the upper core handling assembly 198,is used to grip and remove the upper spindle assembly 236 from the tirebuilding core 234 to expose the individual core segments 244, 246 forremoval. It is also used to transport the tire and core assembly 15,both with and without a tire on it, between stations on the cure lineassembly 10. The upper core handling assembly 198 can position thecomplete core assembly at these stations: tire upender 14; core assemblyand disassembly 34; and mold assembly and disassembly 18.

The upper core segment handling assembly 150 is mounted to a sub-frame222A which is attached to the main frame 222B through four linear guideassemblies. Three axes of movement are possible: vertical lift, rotationabout the center of the tire, and radial movement.

Precision vertical movement control is achieved by lifting or loweringthe sub-frame 222A using two positive-drive belts 157, driven by acommon drive shaft 193 connected to the output of a gearbox andservo-motor combination 164. The sub-frame 222A also supports a secondservo-motor and gearbox combination 154 which uses a positive-drive belt156 to rotate the center shaft 158 to the desire angular position. Fullrotation from zero to 360 degrees is possible. This drive shaft 158supports the radial positioning assembly 150 shown in FIG. 16. Theradial positioning assembly 150 uses another set of linear guides 170and a ball screw 172 driven by a third servo-motor 168 to establish thedesired radial position for the core segment gripper head 174 which isshown in FIGS. 17 and 17A.

The gripper head 174 inserts a guide pin 182 into the top socket 250 ofthe core segment, and then uses a pneumatic cylinder 178 to actuate alink arm 180 to drive a conical pin 184 into a conical hole 252 in thecore segment. Proximity switches 186 mounted on the cylinder 178 detectthe position of the link arm 180, and a spring-loaded foot mechanismactuates a proximity switch to assure that the core segment is present.

The core segment storage station or area 152 consists of two plates 153with four pins 151 each mounted on either side of the upper core segmenthandling assembly frame 222. The pins 151 are similar to the pins 254used on the lower core assembly station 34 to hold the core segments inplace until the sequence calls for the tire building core 234 to bere-assembled. The pins 151 are placed such that they may be accessedusing only the vertical, rotational, and radial axes of the upper corehandling assembly 150 as shown at the bottom of FIG. 15 and in FIGS. 41and 42.

The upper core handling assembly 198 also uses a sub-frame 224A movingon four linear guide assemblies 226 to control vertical movement similarto the upper core segment handling assembly 150. A telescoping mechanismis used to conserve space. Two intermediate frames 224A, one on eachside, are raised and lowered by two positive-drive belts 194, 196connected to a common drive shaft 192 which is driven from the output ofa gearbox and servo-motor combination 165. A pinion gear 191A mounted oneach intermediate frame 224A engages gear racks 191B mounted to both thesub-frame and main frame. This pinion gear and rack combination allowsthe sub-frame 224A to travel twice the vertical distance that theintermediate frame moves. The core gripper assembly 198, shown in FIG.18 and in cross-section in FIG. 19, is mounted to the moving sub-frame224A.

The core gripper assembly, alternatively referred to as the upper corespindle latch mechanism, 198 is designed to hold and transport theassembled tire building core comprising core 234 and spindle assemblies236, 234, with or without a tire 230 on it, or the upper core spindleassembly 236 alone. The tip or frustro-conical nose 200 of the assembly198 is tapered to match the tapered socket 238 in the spindle assembly236. This frustro-conical nose and socket arrangement is the same oneused on the bottom spindle clamp assembly 84 described above. Once thenose 200 is engaged in the socket, a linkage is actuated using twopneumatic cylinders 210 acting in parallel. Rod locks on the cylindersmaintain the position in case air pressure is lost. A third pneumaticcylinder 208 located at the top, center of the shaft is used to drive along rod 206 in the assembly center. This rod 206 actuates the latch atthe center of the tire building core 234 that keeps the two halves ofthe core spindle together. Extending the cylinder 208 actuates thelatch, which separates the two halves 236, 240 comprising the tirebuilding core spindle.

Sequence of Operations

The sequence of operation will be understood from the following withreference to the drawings.

Disassembly—Initial Conditions:

-   -   1. Tire building core 234 with cured tire 230 attached to upper        core manipulator 12 at core assembly station 34. FIGS. 21, 22,        23.    -   2. Core segment support 82 extended upward.    -   3. Bottom spindle clamp assembly 84 retracted (down).    -   4. Lower core handling assembly 80 with pins 136 retracted        (radially outward) to wide diameter for clearance.    -   5. Tire unloader assembly 36 in tire pickup position over the        lower core handling assembly center.

Sequence

-   -   1. Upper core manipulator 12 moves into position with the upper        core handling assembly 198 directly above the lower core segment        handling assembly 80. FIGS. 20, 21, 22, and 23.    -   2. Upper core handling assembly 198 lowers the tire building        core 15 onto the core segment support 82. See FIGS. 24 and 25.        There is one support 114 for each segment of the core 15.    -   3. Bottom spindle clamp assembly 84 extends upwardly to engage        the lower core spindle assembly 240 of the tire building core        15. Cylinder 90 actuates linkage 92, 94 to clamp. See FIGS. 8,        26 and 27.    -   4. The center cylinder 208 in the upper core handling assembly        12 actuates a rod 206 which releases the spring-loaded clamp,        latches 264, holding the two spindle halves 236, 240 of the tire        building core 15 together. See FIGS. 22, 29.    -   5. The bottom spindle clamp assembly 84 retracts (moves        downward) to remove the bottom spindle half 240 of the tire        building core 15 The core segments are still supported on the        arms 114 of the core segment support assembly 82. See FIGS. 28        and 29.    -   6. The eight arms of the pin assemblies 124, 127, each with a        pin 136 extending upward from the end, of the lower core segment        handling assembly 80 extend through the gaps between the arms        114 of the core segment support assembly 82 to positions placing        the pins 136 directly under the holes in the tire building core        segments. See FIGS. 11, 30 and 31.    -   7. The air pressure in the cylinders 118 extending the core        segment support assembly 80 is lowered. The upper core handling        assembly 12 lowers the core segments 244, 246 onto the eight        pins 136 on the lower core segment handling assembly 80 arms.        This action overpowers the force in the air cylinders 118 of the        core segment support assembly 80 causing it to lower as well        until the segments are engaged on the pins 136. Then the core        support assembly 80 is lowered to its extreme retracted        position. The gripper assembly 40 of the tire unloader assembly        36 is engaged to hold the tire 230. See FIGS. 32 and 33.    -   8. The upper half 236 of the tire building core spindle is        removed by raising the upper core handling assembly 198.    -   9. The entire upper core assembly manipulator 12 shifts along        rails 30 to position the center of the upper core segment        handling assembly 150 directly above the center of the lower        core handling assembly 80.    -   10. Upper core segment handling assembly 150 positions radially,        and lowers to a position inside the tire 230 to engage the first        key segment of the tire building core 234. See FIGS. 34 and 35.    -   11. The radial axis of the core segment handling assembly 150        and the axis of the arm of the lower core segment handling        assembly 80 are electronically synchronized together to pull the        first key segment 244 radially toward the center of the tire        230. The shape of the cured tire 230 may require the tire to        flex slightly to allow the wider part of the key segment 244 to        pass between the tire beads 232. See FIG. 36.    -   12. The key segment 244 is then lifted by raising the core        handling assembly 150. See FIGS. 37 and 38.    -   13. Upper core handling assembly 150 moves the segment 244 to a        storage pin 151 located on the main frame of the upper core        manipulator 12 using a combination of vertical, rotational, and        radial axes movements. Four segments are stored on each side of        the frame at the positions corresponding to the position of each        segment in the assembled core 234 as described previously. Each        segment is rotated into a preferred retrieval orientation within        the storage station in which the leading face of each segment is        canted inward to a center region P between the storage plates as        previously explained.    -   14. Steps 10-13 are repeated to remove the other three key        segments 244. The pins 136 of the four key segment handling        assemblies 124 of the lower segment handling assembly 80 are        retracted into the radially outward position and tilted downward        to allow clearance for the subsequent removal of the larger core        segments 246.    -   15. Steps 10-13 are repeated to remove the four large segments        246.    -   16. Upper core segment handling assembly 150 moves to a park        position, allowing for clearance as the entire upper core        assembly manipulator 12 moves toward the upending station 14.    -   17. Tire unloader 36 raises to clear the pins 254 from the lower        core spindle assembly 240, rotates 180 degrees to the unload        position, and then lowers to the unload height. See FIGS. 39 and        40.    -   18. The above sequence is then repeated in reverse order to        re-assemble the tire building core 234. The pins 136 of the four        key segment handling assemblies 124 are reverse tilted back into        the upright vertical orientation. The segment pins 136 for the        core segments 244, 246 are in the retracted (radially outward)        position to generally recreate the configuration of the        assembled core. The key segment pins 136 for the key segments        244 are positioned radially inward from the segment pins 136 for        the larger core segments 246. The large segments 246 are put in        place first and placed on respective pins 136. The key segments        244 are then put in place on their respective radially inward        positioned pins 136. The key segments 244 are moved radially        outward against the larger segments 246 to finally configure the        assembled core 234. The upper spindle half assembly 236 is        installed followed by the lower spindle half assembly 240.        Finally, the assembled tire building core 234 is picked up by        the upper spindle latch mechanism 198 of the upper core        manipulator 12 and transported to the upender station 14 for        delivery back to the tire building area.    -   19. A completed green tire arrives at the upender station 14        from the tire building area on the tire building core 15. The        upender station 14 rotates the core and green tire to a vertical        orientation.    -   20. The upper core manipulator 12 moves into position, picks up        the tire building core 15 with the upper core spindle latch        mechanism 198 and transports it to the mold assembly station 18        for loading into a tire mold.    -   21. The upper core spindle latch mechanism 198 releases the tire        building core 15 and moves with the upper core manipulator 12 to        a storage position to wait for a core to finish the curing        operation so that the cycle can begin again.

Alternate Sequence

An alternate sequence for disassembly may be utilized to save cycletime. In steps 10 and 11 above, the segments may be removed using onlythe force provided by the ball screw 130 on the arm of each pin assembly124, 127 of the lower core segment handling assembly 80. In thealternative sequence, the lower unit 124, 127 would move a segment tothe center, clear of the tire, where it would then be engaged by theupper unit 150. This would allow the next segment to be pushed to thecenter while the upper core segment handling assembly 150 is stillplacing the first segment on its storage pin 151. This alternatesequence would save several seconds from the total cycle time.

It will be appreciated that the subject curing line 10 is commerciallyapplicable to the manufacture of all types of tires as well as non-tireitems such as bladders and sleeves. The line 10 is not material specificand is not limited only to the manufacture of rubber articles. Thesubject invention does not involve the conventional practice in the tirebuilding art in which tires are manufactured on building drums that areflat when the tire components are applied and then form the tire carcassto shape that approximates that of the cured tire. Rather the inventionaccommodates tires built in their final, cured shape. The mold shapesthe outside of the tire, and the core flanges provide a solid surface tomaintain the inside shape of the tire during curing. The inventionthereby provides the means to remove the solid core segments from withina cured tire.

Variations in the present invention are possible in light of thedescription of it provided herein. While certain representativeembodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustratingthe subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this artthat various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, tobe understood that changes can be made in the particular embodimentsdescribed which will be within the full intended scope of the inventionas defined by the following appended claims.

1. Apparatus for disassembling, assembling and using a toroidally shapedsegmented core configured to carry a tire during a curing process, thecore including a plurality of core segments extending generally radiallyfrom a central axis, the apparatus comprising: a transport mechanismoperatively moving the segmented core between a plurality of stations ina tire curing line; at least one segment removal device for removing thecore segments individually from a cured tire and from around the centralaxis and placing the core segments individually in respective spacedapart storage locations; at least one core segment assembly device forremoving the core segments individually from the storage locations andplacing the core segments individually in respective core locations toform an assembled segmented core.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe storage locations are on the transport mechanism.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the one segment removal device picks the coresegments from a substantially common central location within the tire.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of core segmentscomprise a first set of key segments and a second set of secondsegments, the key segments having different physical characteristicsthan the second segments whereby the key segments retain the secondsegments in a radially outward position in the assembled segmented core,the apparatus segment assembly device operatively sequences to place thecore second segments individually in respective core locations prior toplacing the core key segments individually in respective core locations.5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the segment removal deviceoperatively sequences to remove the core key segments individually priorto removal of the core second segments.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the one segment removal device and the one core segment assemblydevice comprise a common segment manipulating mechanism.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the segment manipulating mechanism ismounted to the transport device.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, whereinthe segment storage locations are on the transport device.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the segment storage locations are on atleast one support plate secured to the transport device, the one segmentremoval device places the core key segments in a retrieval-readyorientation in respective central storage locations on the one supportplate and places the core second segments in a retrieval-readyorientation in respective outer storage locations on the one supportplate.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the key segments and secondsegments in the retrieval-ready orientation are canted to face thesegment removal device.
 11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein thestorage location of each key segment on is adjacent to the storagelocation of a respective core second segment located adjacent to the keysegment in the assembled core.
 12. A method for disassembling,assembling and using a toroidally shaped segmented core configured tocarry a tire during a curing process, the core including a plurality ofcore segments extending generally radially from a central axis, themethod comprising: transporting the toroidally shaped core and tire withthe transport mechanism between a plurality of stations in a tire curingline; removing the core segments individually from a cured tire and fromaround the central axis; placing the core segments individually inrespective predetermined spaced apart storage locations; unloading thecured tire while the core segments are located on the transportmechanism; and reassembling the core segments into a toroidally shapedcore; and transporting the reassembled toroidally shaped core with thetransport mechanism to a green tire building station.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein further comprising locating the storage locations onthe transport mechanism.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein furthercomprising placing the core segments individually in respectiveretrieval-ready orientations in respective predetermined spaced apartstorage locations.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein furthercomprising sequencing the removal of a first set of core key segmentsand a second set of second set of core second segments to remove thecore key segments individually before removal of the core secondsegments.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein further comprisingsequencing the reassembling of the core segments into a toroidallyshaped core to reassemble the core second segments before reassembly ofthe core key segments.